Dian Fossey’s Tomb

Trek to Dian Fossey Tomb | Volcanoes National Park Hike & History.

Dian Fossey’s tomb is located at Karisoke, which was her former research camp in the northern part of Volcanoes National Park. She lies in a small gorilla graveyard next to Digit, the gorilla whose death in 1977 had a decisive effect on her work. There is no road leading to the site; the only means of reaching it is by taking a guided hike from the park’s headquarters at Kinigi, near Musanze, and the path is steep, muddy and cold, surprising those who think that the journey will be just a short walk through the forest. This page describes the things you will see at the grave, how the hike operates and what you should prepare before you go.

Where Dian Fossey’s tomb is located

In 1967 Fossey established Karisoke at the saddle lying between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, also known as Visoke, in the Virunga Mountains; the name of the camp is formed from those two mountains. The saddle is situated at about 3,000 metres and is in a montane forest which remains damp for most of the year.

Even though a great many people are looking for her “tomb“, there is neither a mausoleum nor any grand monument. The place is a burial ground having simple markers, and its significance is due to the surroundings rather than to any building.

The usual route for visitors is via Musanze, the town which acts as the base for Volcanoes National Park. The journey from Kigali to Musanze lasts about two and a half hours, as stated by one tour operator. The park’s headquarters in Kinigi is only a short drive away, and it is at this location that registration and the initial briefing are carried out before the hike starts. Karisoke remains a functioning research station, operated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and therefore visits are arranged through the park and its guides.

What you will see at the tomb

The graveyard is small and quiet. Fossey founded it as a memorial for gorillas that had been killed by poachers, and Digit is buried there too. Digit, a young male whom she had known for many years, was killed at the end of 1977 when he was defending his group, and it was this event that led her to adopt the confrontational approach to anti-poaching which she became famous for. The tour operators say that the site contains Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas, some of whom were killed by poachers and others who died for other reasons, with Fossey’s own grave located next to Digit’s.

The signs are straightforward: it’s mainly the moss, the mist and the tall forest that deal with the modest clearing, and as a result the majority of visitors end up speaking in a quiet voice. You will understand the area better if you already know Digit’s story before you go, and the guides are used to being asked questions regarding Digit, Fossey and the way in which the gorillas are now protected.

Nearby lie the remains of the research centre, which the guides will go over with you when you get there. This is the place where Fossey lived, and it is also where she was murdered in December 1985; the case is still disputed. You can expect to see weathered remains rather than a fully developed attraction.

Why Fossey is buried among the gorillas

Fossey remained at Karisoke for about 18 years and, upon her death in 1985, was buried next to Digit in the cemetery that she had started for the animals. This arrangement shows the extent to which her life was linked to the gorillas she studied. However, her legacy is more complex than the situation indicates, as her methods came under criticism, and there have been many people who have contributed to the recovery of the mountain gorillas.

Nowadays, the stop is used by the guides to describe her work, and it provides a good opportunity to realise how intense the poaching pressure was during her time and how much conservation practice in Rwanda has changed since.

The hike to Dian Fossey’s tomb

The hike begins at the park headquarters in Kinigi, where groups register, get a briefing and are given a park guide. One source states that the number of hikers in a group should not exceed 8. Operators require that people be at least 15 years old and expect a certain level of fitness.

The trail reaches an altitude of approximately 3,000 metres and includes sections that are steep and covered with a lot of mud. The times given differ more than one might think; one account states that the round trip takes between three and four hours, whereas another says it takes about seven hours, this depending on the fitness of the group. The speed of the group, the route taken and recent rainfall all have an effect, so it is advisable to plan for most of a day with an early start. Travel writers have recommended being at the park headquarters by 7 a.m.

The cost is the aspect most likely to vary. Since fees are from time to time subject to change, you should check with the Rwanda Development Board or your operator to find out the current rate. Although it is generally easier to obtain permits than gorilla trekking permits, it is advisable to book in advance, especially during the peak season.

The hike does not include seeing gorillas. You need a different permit and a different group for trekking.
The way in which you book is less important than the details that the booking includes. You can get the necessary permits from the Rwanda Development Board or from a licensed operator, and a package arranged by an operator generally provides transport from either Kigali or Musanze, thereby saving a lot of coordination. Before making the payment, it is important to verify that the park fee and the transfers are covered, the size of the group, and whether the operator will be able to modify the plan if heavy rain makes the trail difficult.

When to go and what to bring

You can go there all year round, but the conditions vary. During the drier periods, which are about June to September and December to February, the ground is generally more solid. In the rainy seasons the mud becomes heavier, the ascent takes longer and the views may get lost in cloud. Even in the drier months it is cool at 3,000 metres and the forest can become wet rapidly.

It is advisable to take strong hiking boots and walking sticks, and it is a good idea to carry a waterproof jacket, warm layers, gloves, long trousers and a lot of water. When climbing, do so at a slow pace since altitude can affect some hikers, and the guide will keep a speed that brings the group together.

Fitting the tomb into a Rwanda trip

A number of the operators treat the hike as a day trip starting in Kigali. One of the itineraries involves picking up the visitors at 4:15 a.m. and then driving for approximately two and a half hours to Musanze. This arrangement does work, but it results in an extremely long day. If you stay for at least one night near either Musanze or Kinigi, you will have a more relaxed start and a better safeguard against bad weather, and you’ll be rested enough to enjoy the walk rather than merely enduring it.

If you are trekking gorillas, then you should schedule the tomb hike on a different day since both activities are demanding, the permits are separate, and carrying out the tomb hike first provides useful background when meeting a gorilla family. Although visitors who have extra time in Musanze can combine the trip with other activities in Volcanoes National Park, it is advisable to plan those with an operator who is familiar with the available options.

Who the hike suits

People will find the hike rewarding if they are interested in conservation history and are willing to carry out a long, muddy climb at high altitude. For those who are short on time in Rwanda or who have mobility problems or no interest in Fossey’s story, a gorilla trek or another day in Volcanoes National Park would probably be a more suitable use of their day.

Visiting respectfully

It is a cemetery, a historical site and a conservation area which is currently in use. Stick to the path, obey the instructions given by your Rwanda safari guide, don’t touch or move any of the markers and keep your voices down. When wildlife is seen near the path, the guide will tell you what to do.

FAQS

Is Dian Fossey buried next to Digit?

Certainly. She is buried next to Digit in the gorilla graveyard at Karisoke, a graveyard that she established for gorillas killed by poachers.

Do I need a gorilla trekking permit to visit her grave?

On the contrary, the tomb hike is a distinct activity that requires its own permit and payment. The gorilla permit doesn’t include it, and the tomb permit doesn’t cover gorilla trekking.

What is the lowest age that one can be for the hike?

When you book, please confirm the present rule, since the hike is so demanding that fitness is more important than age, and the minimum age has been set at 15.

Dian Fossey’s tomb is a quiet, muddy and physically demanding place, located in the same forest in which she spent the majority of her working years. It is worth visiting if one prepares for the altitude and the weather, checks the fees before making the booking and arrives with some knowledge of Digit and Karisoke. For those interested in the origins of mountain gorilla conservation in Rwanda, it is one of the most significant sites in Volcanoes National Park.